Matt Martin: Weigh-In can be a defining moment

I'd been back in my hometown and working in the Erie Times-News sports department for less than a year around this time in 2000 when I arrived at one of those defining moments.

I was being defined by the scale.

I resolved to shed quite a bit of weight, and struggled to make good on that promise. I've managed to keep it off since, and even lose a bit more.

It never would have happened without my wife's guidance about all things healthful. Or her gentle urgings on those days when I craved chicken wings and beer more than half a grilled chicken breast and steamed broccoli. Or her willingness to hike, in-line skate, bike, paddle or exercise in countless other ways if it meant helping me commit to those activities.

Studies show that those who work out with a partner are far more successful at losing weight and hitting fitness goals than those who work out alone -- one more reason I'm grateful to and for Linda every day.

Some 13 years later, I'm in my first few months in a new role at the Times-News, and I see another defining moment at hand.

Maybe it'll be yours.

The Times-News and GoErie.com have partnered with Erie's Best Fitness for Weigh-In Erie, a free health and weight-loss initiative open to everyone 18 and older who lives in Erie County.

Starting Jan. 14 and running through April 7, participants will weigh in every two weeks. Male and female winners will be determined by most improved Body Mass Index, and the aggregate performance of all participants also will be charted. Winners' weights won't be disclosed, just their names.

Participants don't have to work out at Best Fitness, but mandatory biweekly weigh-ins will take place at the center, 2147 W. 12th St., including one Jan. 13 to measure initial weights.

If your 2013 resolution is to lose weight, or improve your fitness, here's a free opportunity to find a community of partners and the motivation they can provide.

Here's where one partner, GoErie.com, comes into play:

- Contestants must preregister by Friday at goerieblogs.com/weigh-in-erie (where full rules also are available). However, depending on the community response, registration could be extended to Jan. 13.

- Updates on the top 10 competitors will be available through the Weigh-In Erie blog. Contestants also will have access to Best Fitness online, which will help them track what they eat, help them with workouts and grade their overall development.

- Contestants will be able to interact with each other online throughout the contest.

Best Fitness says its admirable and long-term goal is to help make Erie the healthiest city in America. GoErie.com is happy to be able to play a small role in that initiative.

We're pleased to know that the tools we use every day to deliver news, photos, videos and other content are just as liable to be used to connect and create community, whether for those who live in Erie or those who follow it online.

I'm as eager to hear you weigh in, today and in the future, on how we best can do that as I will be to see how fit Erie can get.

MATT MARTIN, managing editor/digital, can be reached at 870-1704 or by e-mail. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ETNmmartin.